British Bites

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This quick chicken dish is a more modern variation of the Scottish preparation sometimes called howtowdie, which features a whole chicken stuffed with oats and served over spinach and poached eggs. Here, I've use exclusively chicken legs and added some quickly sautéed mushrooms to the oat filling. Serve it with some roasted vegetables and a dollop of good mustard for a satisfying, simple supper. More

A few softly blistered cherry tomatoes roasted with bacon and thyme make the ideal accompaniment to this savory rarebit. If you're looking for a more filling meal, try topping the rarebit with a runny fried egg, and, as always, serve this light lunch with a cold pint of whatever beer you use to make the dish. More

Though these oat-based yeast pancakes may appear lacy and delicate, they're actually quite satisfying and substantial. They're traditionally stuffed with savory ingredient like eggs, sausage, and ham, but they can also be loaded with syrup and filled with jam. More

We're starting to get into the season of fantastic greens, and this recipe calls for one of my favorites. Arugula (also known as rocket) is prepared in two ways—chopped and quickly cooked with leeks for the tart filling, as well as lightly dressed and served on top, adding its characteristic bright, bitter flavor to an otherwise rich, creamy dish. More

As we enter our fourth week of Marmageddon, we'll be delving into the world of baking. Most people enjoy their Marmite on some toast with butter, so we were confident that adding the salty spread to some cheddar-studded scones would hit the spot. These small cakes are simple and deeply savory, begging to be slathered in even more Marmite and butter. More

In our third week of Marmaggedon, we bring you a marmed-up version of the classic roast chicken legs. In this version the legs get wrapped in bacon, and then coated in a mixture of Marmite, chicken stock and brown sugar. More

Salmagundi is more of a concept than a recipe. Essentially, it is a large composed salad that incorporates meat, seafood, cooked vegetables, raw vegetables, fruits, and nuts and is arranged in an elaborate way. Think of it as the British answer to Salad Niçoise. More

Of all the words I could use to describe British food, simplicity would probably be the first. Scotch woodcock, a dish of soft scrambled eggs on toast topped with anchovies, is simplicity at its finest. And in the grand tradition of British dishes with funny names (welsh rarebit, salmagundi, cawl cennin) this dish uses no actual woodcock.
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This simple bread pudding is the perfect dessert after a filling meal. Rich and soft, it's often served with a custard sauce, but this version is so creamy and tender that it really doesn't need anything else but a strong cup of tea. If you have the time, letting the raisins sit in a few tablespoons of brandy before you assemble the pudding makes it even more decadent.
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Arguably the most famous of the British puddings, Yorkshire pudding always makes an impressive side to serve along a perfectly cooked roast beef. But what happens if you don't have a pan of hot beef drippings to make your Yorkshire pudding in? Don't fret! You can make Yorkshire pudding in a variety of fats, taking this special occasion pudding to a fantastic side (or meal) you can make any night of the week.
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Rabbit is a lovely, delicate meat that takes well to braising in a gently seasoned cooking liquid. A mixture of just a few aromatics and mild herbs is the perfect thing to let the inherent flavor of rabbit shine. More

Of all the great things that Britain has given the world, savory pies have got to top the list. From the hand-held pasty to the potato-topped fish pie or the always delicious steak and kidney, a good savory pie is hard to refuse. And this version filled with chicken and leek is a fantastic pie to get started with, if this type of dish is not already one of your favorites. More

A dish fit for a Queen, this pudding has roots that can be traced back as far as the seventeenth century. With peaks of soft meringue with a softly toasted crust, covering a sweet center of jam and a base of custard, this pudding is a true British classic that has stood the test of time.
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Buttery rowies are native to Aberdeen, and are typically made with lard and served with butter and jam. This is a version of the crisp, layered rolls that uses salted butter to achieve the fatty layers and adds a tablespoon of brown sugar to the last layer of butter. Adding a thin layer of brown sugar gives the rolls a bit of sweetness that complements the salty butter perfectly.
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Mulligatawny marries both British and Indian ingredients to form a soup that is a bit spicy, a bit sweet, and very satisfying. There are many versions of this popular soup - some contain rice, some coconut milk, others are vegetarian while some include meat. The important elements are spice, sweetness, and in my opinion lentils. More

The soufflé should be cooked and then served immediately. This recipe is inspired by Downton Abbey and Ethel's attempt at a similar dish. Soufflé is temperamental by nature but if you follow the instructions and don't drop the finished dish, you should have better luck than she did. More

Traditionally ploughman's pate was a way to use up bits of leftover cheese and stretch ingredients as far as possible. Often a part of a "ploughman's lunch," this flavorful cheese spread can be made with whatever cheese you have on hand. More